Chaucerian Romance (U04107)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : LLC-3-U04107

This course introduces students to the romances of Geoffrey Chaucer, and explores the ways in which Chaucer appropriated and re-worked romance literary conventions to decidedly un-romantic ends. While Chaucer observes the narrative conventions of romance, he seems to be sceptical about its aesthetic values, and he interrogates its representations of gender and class relationships. The course examines the ways in which Chaucer turns romance against itself, using the romance form as a vehicle for questioning and critiquing inherited romance values. But in addition to exploring the literary self-consciousness of Chaucerian romance, and its critical engagement with courtly notions of class, gender, and sexuality, the course also considers Chaucer?s use of romance to explore broader philosophical questions such as the relationship of human free will to divine providence, and the compatibility of divine justice with human suffering.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Passes in English or Scottish Literature 1 and English or Scottish Literature 2 with a mark of 50 or above at the first attempt in the second year course.

? Special Arrangements for Entry : Numbers are limited and students taking degrees not involving English or Scottish Literature need the written approval of the Head of English Literature.

? Costs : Essential course texts

Variants

? This course has variants for part year visiting students, as follows

Chaucerian Romance (VS1) (Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2))

Subject Areas

Home subject area

English Literature, (School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures, Schedule G)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

? Other Required Attendance : 1 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
23/09/2008	14:00	15:50	Room 6.11, David Hume Tower	Central

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Tuesday	14:00	15:50	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Students who have successfully completed the course will have acquired a knowledge of the principal works of Geoffrey Chaucer, and will have an understanding both of the literary conventions of medieval romance, and of how Chaucer adopted and adapted these conventions for his own aesthetic and intellectual ends. In addition, students will be able to place Chaucer?s romances in a range of extra-literary contexts ? for example, philosophical, political, and social ? and will have acquired an understanding of the ways in which Chaucer uses the romance form to reflect upon and engage with these broader cultural concerns.